Top Bike Racks – Is the Thule Sleek right for you?

Top Bike Racks – Is the Thule Sleek right for you?

Thule Sleek vs Sportrax Xl

Finding a high quality rooftop bike rack system for your vehicle is a lot easier than it ever used to be before ” but in a lot of ways it’s a lot more challenging, too.

Plenty of companies make rocksolid pieces of technology to keep your bike safe, protected, and locked in place. On top of that, these top-tier companies keep releasing new models one right after another, and finding the perfect option in a crowded marketplace can be a little bit of a challenge.

In this quick guide, we highlight the key differences between the Thule Sleek and the Sportrax Xl bike rack systems.

Both of these are top-tier solutions, each of them are worthy of ownership, but one or the other might be best suited to your specific needs, budget, and expectations.

Let’s dive right in!

Detailed Review of the THULE UpRide roof bike rack

When you’re talking about top-tier outdoor equipment this is a brand name that is always going to be right at the top of the list, and for good reason.

Responsible for producing rocksolid ” though admittedly expensive ” accessories for the outdoor inclined, the THULE UpRide roof bike rack itself is one of a dozen or more different roof rack systems this company manufactures for a variety of different applications.

This one has been engineered specifically for bikes (and works universally well with mountain bikes, street bikes, BMX bikes, etc.) and features the same high quality construction materials, durability, and longevity you’d expect from this brand to begin with.

The ratcheting wheel strap system provides incredible security without threatening to damage your bike, and the fact that this system is capable of securely grabbing your bike without having to come in contact with your frame is a big bonus, too.

Detailed Reveiw of the SPORTRACK Upshift Plus

The SPORTRACK Upshift Plus is very similar in design to the THULE UpRide roof bike rack, though it comes in at a price tag of nearly $100 less, which isn’t anything to sneeze at.

Another reputable piece of bike rack technology you can depend on, this is a universal bike system that can mount directly to most every factory and aftermarket rack system and attach directly to your vehicle.

Oversized wheel trays and a self adjusting jaw wrap system provides a little bit of extra downtube pressure, and the major difference between the SPORTRACK Upshift Plus and the Thule Sleek is that the SPORTRACK Upshift Plus uses a frame lock system while the THULE UpRide roof bike rack uses a wheel lock system.

At the end of the day, it’s all going to come down to your personal preference, your budget, and whether or not you want a system to hold your bike securely to the roof of your vehicle by the wheels (Thule Sleek) or by the frame (Sportrax Xl)